Wetland Management District · Minnesota · FWS Region 3

Windom Wetland Management District Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Windom Wetland Management District is located in Cottonwood County, Minnesota, with about 17,913 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 1 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 17,831 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
17.8Khuntable acres
17.9KFWS-owned acres
7game categories

Windom WMD hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Windom WMD

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

Protecting habitat in a 12-county area of southwestern Minnesota historically known for large concentrations of waterfowl, Windom WMD also offers a variety of hunting experiences on its wetlands and grasslands.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammalsFeral & ExoticFeral hogs and other non-native species where refuge rules allow

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Minnesota regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 17,831 (100%)Closed: 78 (0%)17.8Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations17,831 ac 100%
  • Closed78 ac 0%
Units by size (acres)
WPA Open
17,831 ac
Worthington WPA
78 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
WPA Open Special regs 17,831 —
Worthington WPA Closed 78 —

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Not listed

USFWS does not list a separate refuge permit for this station. Specific units or hunts (e.g. quota deer hunts) may still require one — check the hunt brochure.

You'll also need

  • A valid Minnesota hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Windom WMD

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing opportunities on Windom Wetland Management District are very limited due to the seasonal water levels in this prairie region.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Windom WMD

Navigate

Destination: Windom Wetland Management District (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
43.85780, -95.08666
DMS
43°51′28.1″N 95°05′12.0″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Windom, MN1.9 mi SE of town
  • Spencer, IA50 mi N of town
  • Marshall, MN54 mi SE of town
  • Mankato, MN58 mi W of town

Closest airports

  • FSD Sioux Falls Regional85 mi
  • MSP Minneapolis–St. Paul116 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Windom WMD

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Chicago local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM7:58 PM13h 16m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM7:33 PM12h 35m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM7:03 PM11h 47m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:03 AM7:33 AM6:38 PM11h 06m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:25 AM6:55 AM5:12 PM10h 17m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:44 AM7:14 AM4:56 PM9h 42m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:04 AM7:34 AM4:45 PM9h 11m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:17 AM7:47 AM4:43 PM8h 56m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:24 AM7:54 AM4:52 PM8h 58m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:21 AM7:51 AM5:06 PM9h 15m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:08 AM7:38 AM5:28 PM9h 50m

Computed for 43.858, -95.087 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Windom WMD FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Windom WMD?

Yes. Windom Wetland Management District offers hunting in 1 unit (17,831 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Windom WMD?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Windom WMD. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Windom WMD?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Windom WMD located?

Windom Wetland Management District is in Cottonwood County, Minnesota, about 2 miles SE of Windom, MN (straight-line). GPS: 43.85780, -95.08666.

What are legal shooting hours at Windom WMD?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

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Litchfield WMD

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Madison WMD

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Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in Minnesota →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.